How to fill in the Z83 form

The Z83 is the official application form for posts in government departments. You send it with your CV for every post you apply for in the Public Service Vacancy Circular or a department’s own advert.

Use the right form

The current Z83 has been in force since 1 January 2021. The DPSA told departments not to consider applications made on the old form, and many adverts repeat that warning. Download the form from the DPSA website, not from an old copy saved on your phone or found on another website. The current form shows its effective date, 1 January 2021, at the top.

You can type into the editable form, then print it and sign it by hand. Use a new form for each post.

Fill it in section by section

• A. The advertised post: the job title as it appears in the advert, the department, the reference number from the advert, and when you can start or how much notice you must give your employer.
• B. Personal information: your names, ID number and date of birth exactly as they appear on your ID, plus the yes or no questions about citizenship, criminal record, disciplinary cases and business with the state. South Africans don’t need a passport number.
• C. Contact details: your preferred language and how the department should contact you.
• D. Language proficiency: how well you speak, read and write each official language you know.
• E. Formal qualifications: from highest to lowest, with the institution and the year.
• F. Work experience: your jobs, and whether any condition stops you from being re-appointed in the public service.
• G. References: names, relationship to you and phone numbers.
• Declaration: sign and date it. The DPSA says a department must have a signed declaration before it considers you.

For sections E, F and G you may write “see attached CV”, as long as your CV gives that information. If it doesn’t, the department may disqualify you.

What you may leave blank

In 2025 the DPSA told departments that applicants may leave questions blank, or mark them “N/A”, when they don’t apply to them or to the post. It also said that public servants applying from their current job don’t need to complete the section for people seeking re-employment, and that the initials on the second page are not compulsory.

Some departments still write stricter rules into their adverts, such as “complete all fields in full” or “initial both pages”. The safest way is to answer every question, write “N/A” where it doesn’t apply, initial both pages and sign the declaration, and then follow any extra rule in the advert’s notes.

What to attach

• A detailed CV. The form itself asks for it in section F. See how to write a South African CV.
• Copies of qualifications and your ID only if the advert asks for them. The DPSA’s practice note says applicants don’t need to send copies when they apply, and departments ask shortlisted candidates for certified copies.

If you do send certified copies, the form says departments must accept a certification up to six months old, unless the advert allows a longer period.

Before you send it

1. Check the reference number against the advert.
2. Check that your names and ID number match your ID document.
3. Sign the declaration in your own handwriting.
4. Send it the way the advert says, before the closing date and time.

Our Z83 checklist puts every step on one list you can tick off and print.

Giving false information on the Z83 can get your application disqualified, or lead to disciplinary action if you are appointed.

Stay safe

The Z83 form is free to download, and applying is free. Don’t pay anyone for a “new Z83” or to submit it for you. Report anyone who asks for money for a government job on 0800 701 701.